6 Real Towns Where Hallmark Christmas Movies Were Filmed

Langley, British Columbia

Located in southwestern British Columbia, Canada, near Vancouver and the U.S. border with Washington state, Langley is a versatile location that’s been featured in several Hallmark Christmas movies, including A Bride for Christmas (2014), A Christmas Detour (2015), Mr. Miracle (2014), and The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014). Langley isn’t just a scenic setting for holiday films, though. It also doubles as Hope Valley, the fictional town in Hallmark’s long-running series When Calls the Heart, based on the popular book series by Janette Oke. Langley’s quaint downtown area, with its unique shops and classic facades, has the cozy, festive atmosphere fans have come to pine after. Local landmarks, such as the Fort Langley National Historic Site and scenic Campbell Valley Regional Park, add even more charm to this Hallmark movie town.

Chester, Vermont

With a population of roughly 3,000 residents, Chester, Vermont, captures all the small-town charm of a Hallmark Christmas movie, making it the perfect location for the fictional town of Santaville in Moonlight & Mistletoe (2008). Located just south of the Green Mountain National Forest, this picturesque New England destination is known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, cozy inns, antique shops, and inviting local eateries. The town’s iconic village green and historic Stone Village provide a quintessential New England backdrop, while opportunities for outdoor winter fun including ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides transform Chester into an idyllic winter wonderland straight out of a holiday movie.

Vail, Colorado

Known for its world-class ski resort, Vail, Colorado, has a population of just 4,500 residents — making it the ideal small-town setting for snowy Hallmark Christmas films such as Winter in Vail (2020), which was set in this alpine destination with several scenes filmed on location. Situated at the base of Vail Mountain in White River National Forest, Vail combines small-town coziness with exhilarating winter sports and plenty of holiday cheer. The small-town vibe, combined with its Bavarian-inspired architecture, atmosphere, and cuisine  — not to mention its festive Kris Kringle Market — attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

Mapleton, Utah

When it comes to picture-perfect winter towns, Mapleton, Utah fits the bill to a tee. While some Hallmark Christmas movies have to rely on pumping in artificial snow, Mapleton enjoyed plenty of real snowfall during the filming of A Christmas Wish (2011). Located just a few miles south of Provo, this quiet, family-friendly rural town sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, offering an ideal mix of small-town charm and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Dahlonega, Georgia

Not all Hallmark Christmas movies are set in snowy northern locations. The small North Georgia mountain town of Dahlonega — which averages just 3 inches of snowfall each year — is a Southern gem that’s infused a number of movies with its unique appeal. With a population of 7,500, the town has doubled as the fictional Homestead, Iowa, in Christmas in Homestead (2016) as well as the picturesque Smoky Mountains town of Pine Valley in Christmas in the Smokies (2015). 

During the holiday season, Dahlonega’s public square twinkles with more lights than you can count, while the surrounding Appalachian foothills provide a beautiful backdrop. Its rich gold rush-era history lends the town an additional layer of intrigue. Attractions including the Dahlonega Gold Museum and seasonal events such as the Old-Fashioned Christmas festival make it a worthy festive destination, with or without snow.

Wilmington, North Carolina

The port city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is another Southern locale that’s been a popular filming location for Hallmark movies. Known for its historic downtown lined with delightful boutiques and quaint cafes, as well as a scenic Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River, Wilmington has starred as a stand-in for a variety of film settings. It represented the naval town of Norfolk, Virginia, in USS Christmas (2020) and the historic town of Conway, South Carolina, in Christmas in Conway (2013), and it was converted into the fictional Harmony, North Carolina, in Christmas in Harmony (2021). Despite its mild winter weather, Wilmington’s historic homes and vibrant waterfront nonetheless make it a festive setting that perfectly embodies the spirit of Hallmark’s signature holiday magic.